The Official 4/27/13 MCAT Thread

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brood910

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This might be considered a bit early, but full-time college students need to prepare ahead of time, especially when they are doing a research and volunteering, which requires them to spend at least 30-40 hours per week...

Let's share plans, strategies, schedules, and so on to help each other to crack this exam.
 
Awesome, johnnyscans. I like your thoughts on the specific sections, too. I, too, am finding myself on some PS and BS sections to just skim over the content, get an idea of what is going on, maybe predict what kind of questions there will be, and then dive into the questions and refer back to the passage. I don't waste too much time carefully reading when I know I may have to go back to the passage or just luck out with a bunch of pseudo-discretes. Sometimes the most confounding passages have pretty straightforward questions and sometimes the straightforward passage have whacked out questions so you just never know where it's all headed until you hit the questions.

I am holding out nicely on BS and VR, but not so much on PS. Beside what johnnyscans just advised, any strategies one can offer? I know it's a vague question, really, but I want to get more comfortable. I think I will do some Kaplan PS section tests. I was also thinking that I should finally do the AAMC self assessments. They take so long and I kept putting them off so I could do more tests, but perhaps it may be a good idea to do the gen chem and physics SA's and see if there are areas I can improve on (quickly). I feel fairly confident with content, actually, so I think I am having some test anxiety or something with PS. My test dissections are not super revealing. There have been little mistakes on calculations that are frustrating and avoidable (slow down, calm down!), changing answers (from the correct one!!!) is another issue that seems mostly due to psyching myself out. Not sure, but any thoughts would be great. Thanks!

Just like johnny said, I try to attack the problems conceptually. If I find myself getting overwhelmed, I try to remind myself that they are just testing basic science, then try to relate the problem to something I have experience with. For instance, if they are asking about trajectory, I try to put it into terms like throwing a baseball or if it's a question about a convex mirror, I remember what it's like at the house of mirrors at a carnival. When I'm at a complete loss, I try to set up the numbers to cancel and end up with the right units (this doesn't always work, but is my failsafe).

I found myself doing the same thing with making stupid mistakes. That is part of the reason I now read the passages, not to try to understand everything in them, but to force myself to slow down. I used to finish the sciences with about 10 minutes left and now only have about 3. This gives me enough time to go back to one or two problems if I need to and has forced me to be more focussed on the problems, lessening my stupid Joe mistakes. Oh and don't change an answer unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure you had the wrong one the first time.

The SAs worked well for me. After taking them earlier this month, I had some glaring shortfalls that I have spent the last couple of weeks working on. There have been significant improvements in my scores as a result.

Best of luck
 
Johnnyscans,you inspired me. Here's my rollercoaster of scores.

hidTZ4e
 
Thanks for all the advice! My PS score went up a little on AAMC9! Woohoo! BUT, my VR and BS, which have both been strong all along, took nosedives! Ridiculous. I went through the PS and sorted questions by difficulty just to see how I did on the "hard" ones. I got 100% of GC "hard", and something around 95% for the Physics "hard" questions. That was cool to see! Surprised my PS score wasn't higher considering this, but I am no longer going to even try to figure out how the MCAT is really scored. I think the AAMC 9 PS was pretty straightforward, though. The BS was odd to me. I think it seemed harder for some reason or maybe I was mentally burning out at that point because there were some questions that I knew I should know and I was just feeling blank. Plus, wtf with evolution questions that have three deceptively attractive answers? I swear I'm losing my grip because some of the BS questions lately seem wacky to me lately and harder. This usually isn't a section I have issue with except for sometimes odd orgo stuff that comes up. Usually stuff I have never heard of or never studied that seem more biochem than orgo, but I don't know for sure because everything feels so fuzzy lately!!

@mauroz: Nice jump on your AAMC8 overall score!! Did you change your strategy or something? Do you have any thoughts on that one? Just curious. I hope the success you found on 8 carries into the next practice tests and the real thing!
 
Wow you guys are really organized! I take the AAMC's in no order.. haha

Good luck everyone! I hope we all go through this well.
 
@mauroz: Nice jump on your AAMC8 overall score!! Did you change your strategy or something? Do you have any thoughts on that one? Just curious. I hope the success you found on 8 carries into the next practice tests and the real thing!

Thanks! I noticed a downward trend with my verbal score and decided to address it after AAMC7. I had used the EK verbal technique for AAMC3 and then started using the Kaplan strategy in which you summarize each paragraph. I would score high in the Kaplan verbal practice tests (around 12) but low on AAMC. Then I decided to listen to the EK strategy again and something clicked. They said not to go back to the passage because although the right answer may be there, you are guaranteed that the wrong answers will be there. Going back to the passage is just full of traps, just read for the main idea and the tone of the author and never go back.

For bio, I reviewed the bio sections I was weak on with Dr.Najeeb on youtube. Although he has a thick accent, he makes the stuff really easy to memorize and understand. It helped tremendously in the immunology section. Sometimes I would get stuck on reading a graph, once you get to a question involving a graph, look at the answer choices and look back at the graph, usually that makes something click.

As far as physical sciences go, I have used the same technique, skim the passage, formulate questions that they may ask in your head. So if you read of something underwater automatically think buoyant force then look to see if they give you volume. Or think pressure and see if they give you depth, etc. Then go the questions and try to see which concept they are asking about. If they say something like, which will make more H2 gas, you know the answer will either involve le chetalier or adding pressure to increase entropy by having more gas molecules.

Last tip, when taking the practice exam, mark all the ones you are not 100% sure about. That way once you are done all you have review are those and the questions you 100% believed you got right but got wrong. Saves so much time during review.

I hope I remain this high too, we'll see. These scores have just been all over the place.
 
Like I said, went on youtube to review the bio subjects I was weak on and switched back to the EK verbal strategy, completely erased Kaplan verbal strategy.
 
For bio, I reviewed the bio sections I was weak on with Dr.Najeeb on youtube.

Don't you just love technology? There are so many excellent (and free) resources out there! I like McGraw Hill animations for quick review of bio things like immunology, muscle contraction, etc. They are short and to the point and help to cement some things in a visual way. Dr. Najeeb is cool, too, but requires more time commitment, but yes, great resource!

Thank you for the other great tips, too. I have not really struggled with VR but I noticed on my last test I was going back to the passages too much and my score dropped in a bigger way than I would have expected considering my consistency thus far. I have listened to Audio Osmosis and have the EK Math and VR Techniques book so I should know better, but it's so tempting to go back. Plus, I usually have time left over so I never worried that going back to the passage would make me run out of time overall. However, I think going back could hurt my score. I am going to try to focus on EK strategies more and see if that will get my VR score back up to what I'm used to.

Thanks again and best of luck!
 
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Looks like my improved test taking strategies are paying off. I'm making it a habit to mark more questions, I'm double-checking questions that are ambiguously worded, and I'm sticking to my guns.

Really wish I could bump up VR by one more point. I feel like my strategy is there (I'm fine for time and such), I just overthink things.

Oh well. One more week to really dial it in. Happy with the way things have been going so far though.
 
Looks like my improved test taking strategies are paying off. I'm making it a habit to mark more questions, I'm double-checking questions that are ambiguously worded, and I'm sticking to my guns.

Really wish I could bump up VR by one more point. I feel like my strategy is there (I'm fine for time and such), I just overthink things.

Oh well. One more week to really dial it in. Happy with the way things have been going so far though.

👍👍 Way to go! I'm going to try some of your strategies on my next test tomorrow.
 
Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

Finished up all AAMCs and my average (with slight upward trend) is a little under 35. At this point, I'm just going to do light review and try not freak out before test date. I'd say my hardcore prepwork is done which is good as I was cusping burn-out.

See you all on the other side!
 
Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

Finished up all AAMCs and my average (with slight upward trend) is a little under 35. At this point, I'm just going to do light review and try not freak out before test date. I'd say my hardcore prepwork is done which is good as I was cusping burn-out.

See you all on the other side!

I've got one more FL, one more chapter of content review and then some VR passages just to keep fresh. Other than that it's exercise, sleep and eat right.
 
imo TPR exams are not really useful...I remembered taking one last year and it was way easier than AAMC.
 
i just wanna say guys that we're so lucky to be taking this exam in the pm. I don't usually get enough sleep the night before an exam so this way I can take a nap in the morning of the exam and be fresh for the test 🙂

almost there!
 
i just wanna say guys that we're so lucky to be taking this exam in the pm. I don't usually get enough sleep the night before an exam so this way I can take a nap in the morning of the exam and be fresh for the test 🙂

almost there!

That's a good part of why I picked 27th instead of 26th. 👍

Surprisingly, it does not seem to be a popular choice - our thread is so much quieter than the 4/26 gang. 😕
 
i just wanna say guys that we're so lucky to be taking this exam in the pm. I don't usually get enough sleep the night before an exam so this way I can take a nap in the morning of the exam and be fresh for the test 🙂

almost there!

I don't know about a nap! If I could even manage a nap, I'd be afraid of overdoing it and missing the test. I think the anxiety between waking up Saturday to test time will be worse than the night before, but we'll see what happens. I'm trying very hard to just be at peace with the test and trust that it will be okay. Hard to do!

And, yes, this thread is way quieter than others! What's up with that? At any rate, I hope y'all aren't all super geniuses scoring in the 40s. 😉

Taking AAMC 11 today and then I'm done with test practice. Maybe a little review tomorrow, but I have coursework to do, too, so we'll see. I may have to really force myself not to do any MCAT stuff on Friday.

What are everyone's plan from now until test time?
 
I'm doing some content review today since I continue missing basic bio trivia questions plus review of AAMC 11, maybe some of the self assessment questions too. Tomorrow AAMC 10 or 9 and that will be it for me. On Friday I'm traveling to the test center, since I could not get a seat anywhere close when I rescheduled.
 
i just wanna say guys that we're so lucky to be taking this exam in the pm. I don't usually get enough sleep the night before an exam so this way I can take a nap in the morning of the exam and be fresh for the test 🙂

almost there!
same reason for me. just not an morning person.
 
Last three chapters of of the SN2ED schedule today.

Basic chemistry review tomorrow night.

Friday is relax and flip through my flash cards.
 
We're just more confident!

I wish! I am in the middle of AAMC 11 and I totally ran out of time on PS. I'm scared what the score will be. Some of the questions weren't horrible, but the extent of calculations on PS overall made it really hard to finish on time. Dang this blows my confidence.
 
Posted this in another thread and was wondering if anyone knows what the rules are on this type of thing. I submitted my first, middle and last names when registering for the test, so the name I'm registered under includes all three (my first, middle and last). I wasn't really thinking about matching my name exactly with my driver's license when signing up for the test, because a spot opened up out of nowhere and I just grabbed it as quickly as I could.

My driver's license, however, has my full first name, my middle INITIAL (not the full name), and full last name. So according to the rules, I might not be allowed to take the test? Once again, my registered name for the MCAT includes my full first, middle and last name while my driver's license includes my full first name, full last name but only the middle initial (not the full middle name). By the way I am signed up for 5/18, not 4/26.
 
Few more days until test day. Regardless of how well I do, **** this exam.

Feeling the same at this point. PS on AAMC 11 was awful for me. I did horribly. Did okay on VR and BS but not my highest scores by far. This sux. So is life. But, yeah, **** this test. I'm done.
 
Posted this in another thread and was wondering if anyone knows what the rules are on this type of thing. I submitted my first, middle and last names when registering for the test, so the name I'm registered under includes all three (my first, middle and last). I wasn't really thinking about matching my name exactly with my driver's license when signing up for the test, because a spot opened up out of nowhere and I just grabbed it as quickly as I could.

My driver's license, however, has my full first name, my middle INITIAL (not the full name), and full last name. So according to the rules, I might not be allowed to take the test? Once again, my registered name for the MCAT includes my full first, middle and last name while my driver's license includes my full first name, full last name but only the middle initial (not the full middle name). By the way I am signed up for 5/18, not 4/26.

As far as I know, middle names are not so much an issue. I think so long as the Middle Initial matches the initial of the middle name you registered with you should be okay. However, best bet is to check w/ AAMC directly rather than just hoping us neurotic premeds on this forum will give you the right answer when we are stressing out a few days before our test! Best of luck!
 
Don't know about middle names, but my friend was not allowed to take his MCAT because he registered with a short form of his name and it doesn't match his license. You should probably call the testing center to ask about it ? You can still make a change until 7 days before your test.
 
Posted this in another thread and was wondering if anyone knows what the rules are on this type of thing. I submitted my first, middle and last names when registering for the test, so the name I'm registered under includes all three (my first, middle and last). I wasn't really thinking about matching my name exactly with my driver's license when signing up for the test, because a spot opened up out of nowhere and I just grabbed it as quickly as I could.

My driver's license, however, has my full first name, my middle INITIAL (not the full name), and full last name. So according to the rules, I might not be allowed to take the test? Once again, my registered name for the MCAT includes my full first, middle and last name while my driver's license includes my full first name, full last name but only the middle initial (not the full middle name). By the way I am signed up for 5/18, not 4/26.

Don't know about middle names, but my friend was not allowed to take his MCAT because he registered with a short form of his name and it doesn't match his license. You should probably call the testing center to ask about it ? You can still make a change until 7 days before your test.
 
I had the same issue, called my center and they said you only need the first and last names to match. I'd call the center just in case though
 
I am excited to get this over with! I am doing great in PS and BS but my verbal scores have been fluctuating pretty bad between 7-9 and I can't seem to break a 9. I am really praying for an easy verbal section...I got a 12 7 12 on AAMC 9 yesterday. :scared:
 
Feeling the same at this point. PS on AAMC 11 was awful for me. I did horribly. Did okay on VR and BS but not my highest scores by far. This sux. So is life. But, yeah, **** this test. I'm done.

I hear you. Just go over AAMC 11 tomorrow or Friday one last time so you're ready for similar stuff in case it comes up. I also did my worst in PS on AAMC 11 but it was mostly stuff I should have known.

Here's my plan at this point: Tomorrow go over AAMC 8 and 9. Friday go over AAMC 10 and 11. Add to that one last basic review of the random notes I took for each subject and I'm done!
 
For those who have done both - if I had to pick between AAMC 9 and 10, which one would you suggest?
 
For those who have done both - if I had to pick between AAMC 9 and 10, which one would you suggest?

AAMC 9 sciences were very easy while the verbal was arguably the toughest. I haven't done 10 yet but I will be doing it tomorrow.
 
I hear you. Just go over AAMC 11 tomorrow or Friday one last time so you're ready for similar stuff in case it comes up. I also did my worst in PS on AAMC 11 but it was mostly stuff I should have known.

Here's my plan at this point: Tomorrow go over AAMC 8 and 9. Friday go over AAMC 10 and 11. Add to that one last basic review of the random notes I took for each subject and I'm done!

I went over some of 11 already.Mainly PS. I had to straight up guess on so many because I ran out of time. So many points I could have gotten if I could have had more time! Don't know how to improve that this late in the game. Conceptually, nothing from 11 on PS really confounded me. So, while that is good, I could be just as screwed on the real thing if I have to manipulate equations and do lots of calculation in each passage and on discretes like 11 seemed to have. It seemed so calculation heavy to me! I have no problem with calculations. Plug and chug is easy so long as you remember the formula. But, having to do a lot of these combined with the pressure of timing and the fact that this is the MCAT makes for a potentially disastrous situation. I would think the MCAT would test more heavily on conceptual stuff. It's not a math test after all, and testing whether or not you memorized a particular formula, can manipulate it with basic algebra skills, and then can plug and chug correctly seems to me not a very valuable test of applying what we know in a new way or what not. I am sure there are lots of arguments against this, but 11 seemed so calculation heavy that it seemed sort of unbalanced. I still have to review it more so maybe I'm wrong.

That being said, I will be giving myself some practice on fast calculations today and maybe a little tomorrow just for the heck of it. I've done lots of fast calculations, but it comes down to test anxiety and doubt when I take a test and this makes me careful about my calcs and then I get them right but take too much time.

Oh well!

For those of you wondering about which test to take out of the later AAMCs I would say go with 11 but beware! I think it has the potential to ruin your mood for sure, BUT it is great practice and is supposed to be most indicative of the real thing, so go for it if you have not yet! As for 9 vs 10 I think it's a toss up. I did better on 10 than 9, but I don't know what that really means. Everyone is different and everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Any test you do will be good practice and if you go through it should help you clear up any areas that you can still improve on.

Best of luck everyone! Wish I could skip classes today and tomorrow, but I have tests and the like in those, too! Cannot wait for this semester and the MCAT to be OVER!!!!
 
^ Actually, same thing happened to me. This was the only PS test that I ran out of time and I think that's part of the reason I did poorly. The other was that I forgot about galvanic/electrolytic cells and there were quite a few questions on that. In a way it's good because I know I spent way too long reading the passages for PS...on the real exam, I'm going to skim the passage quickly and then see what the questions are actually asking because many times, you have to look back at the passage anyways so no sense in wasting so much time for a first read.


As for deciding between 9 and 10, I got the same score on both but I thought 9 was actually tougher for me: 10, I made more dumb mistakes, 9 was more confusing. It all evens out though I guess!

And yeah good luck everyone, we're gonna rock this!
 
Good luck everyone. Get solid sleep tonight and on Friday. At this point you shouldn't be cramming to learn new things. Review your trouble areas, do some basic math problems to make sure your calculations are on point, and maybe do some light reading or a practice VR passage or two.

No matter what, if you've stuck to your schedule and done your prep things WILL go well.
 
Good luck everyone. Get solid sleep tonight and on Friday. At this point you shouldn't be cramming to learn new things. Review your trouble areas, do some basic math problems to make sure your calculations are on point, and maybe do some light reading or a practice VR passage or two.

No matter what, if you've stuck to your schedule and done your prep things WILL go well.
👍 I hope you're right!
 
^ Actually, same thing happened to me. This was the only PS test that I ran out of time and I think that's part of the reason I did poorly. The other was that I forgot about galvanic/electrolytic cells and there were quite a few questions on that. In a way it's good because I know I spent way too long reading the passages for PS...on the real exam, I'm going to skim the passage quickly and then see what the questions are actually asking because many times, you have to look back at the passage anyways so no sense in wasting so much time for a first read.


As for deciding between 9 and 10, I got the same score on both but I thought 9 was actually tougher for me: 10, I made more dumb mistakes, 9 was more confusing. It all evens out though I guess!

And yeah good luck everyone, we're gonna rock this!

That makes me feel a little better. 9 has been my highest and most balanced score so far. I will be happy with the same score on the real thing.

Good luck everyone. Get solid sleep tonight and on Friday. At this point you shouldn't be cramming to learn new things. Review your trouble areas, do some basic math problems to make sure your calculations are on point, and maybe do some light reading or a practice VR passage or two.

No matter what, if you've stuck to your schedule and done your prep things WILL go well.

I sure hope so. Good luck everyone! Keep calm and go HAM on the test 😉
 
Why can't aamc just email us and be like "Hi, we've taken the average of your last 3 practice MCAT scores and that is now your official score, congratulations on being done and not even realizing it"

if only dreams were real
 
Good luck everyone! AAMC 11 was tough, reviewing it now. Dropped down to a 31 :/ not exactly the most motivating thing in the world.
 
Do you guys think we should be doing more practice problems or content review at this point? I was thinking just go through mcat-review.org, review AAMC 11 and 10, a few verbal passages, and look through my formula sheet.. Any tips?
 
I've lost a lot of motivation. I was doing a Kaplan AAMC 11 PS review through Kaplan Flex and I got through about 35 minutes, but then just felt spent. I have to study for an ochem quiz tomorrow, too. I just don't have much left in me for anything. I guess I am going to try not to do too much lest I feel even more burnt out. I may do some flashcards tonight yet just because it's somewhat mindless review. I may try to go over AAMC 11 again tomorrow and maybe review my really rough spots, but we'll see. Everyone says to try to relax and not do any reviewing the day before, but I think that may be hard especially with a 1pm Saturday test. I do think we should all try to take it easy, though. Light review only and if you feel burnt out like I do, just stop, get some rest, do something mindless and refresh for the test. Just my $0.02! From now until it's done may be the worst time...
 
I've lost a lot of motivation. I was doing a Kaplan AAMC 11 PS review through Kaplan Flex and I got through about 35 minutes, but then just felt spent. I have to study for an ochem quiz tomorrow, too. I just don't have much left in me for anything. I guess I am going to try not to do too much lest I feel even more burnt out. I may do some flashcards tonight yet just because it's somewhat mindless review. I may try to go over AAMC 11 again tomorrow and maybe review my really rough spots, but we'll see. Everyone says to try to relax and not do any reviewing the day before, but I think that may be hard especially with a 1pm Saturday test. I do think we should all try to take it easy, though. Light review only and if you feel burnt out like I do, just stop, get some rest, do something mindless and refresh for the test. Just my $0.02! From now until it's done may be the worst time...

I'm about as burnt out as I have ever been. I was going to take AAMC #10 last Saturday and #11 yesterday [Wednesday], but I thought it would be more beneficial to study some weak areas. Hopefully that was not a mistake, but I don't see how it will matter on Saturday at 1:00 whether I took the last two practice tests. My high score was on AAMC #9 was a 28. I didn't want to take 10 or 11 and shake my confidence (also saving 10 and 11 for a possible retake). Like you, I'm also finishing up organic chemistry I and my teacher is cramming a lot of stuff in because of a week of school we missed earlier because of snow. Good luck to you 😀
 
I'm about as burnt out as I have ever been. I was going to take AAMC #10 last Saturday and #11 yesterday [Wednesday], but I thought it would be more beneficial to study some weak areas. Hopefully that was not a mistake, but I don't see how it will matter on Saturday at 1:00 whether I took the last two practice tests. My high score was on AAMC #9 was a 28. I didn't want to take 10 or 11 and shake my confidence (also saving 10 and 11 for a possible retake). Like you, I'm also finishing up organic chemistry I and my teacher is cramming a lot of stuff in because of a week of school we missed earlier because of snow. Good luck to you 😀

You're smart, AAMC #11 is an absolute confidence killer. From Minnesota with all that snow by any chance?
 
You're smart, AAMC #11 is an absolute confidence killer. From Minnesota with all that snow by any chance?

St. Louis, we missed three days of school in three separate snow storms (one for each snow storm). One was at the end of March.
 
Geez I have never been so stressed out in my life. In the last 3 months, I have been really focusing on verbal but I just scored horribly on the last two verbal tests. Such a confidence killer 🙁 ugghhhhh :scared: I am PRAYING for a light verbal section on Saturday.
 
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